I'm not going to lie... this was hard. Like.... really hard. I needed help narrowing this down to just three in each category because there were way too many beautiful entries. But my husband and kids were no help at all so, as cliche as it sounds, I sat with and meditated on the submissions these last couple days and settled on my top three in each category.

Now I leave the burden of final voting on each of you who participated in the challenge. You now have to choose just one finalist in each category (and you cannot vote for yourself) and leave those three names in the comments below. The winner in each category who receives the most votes will win the prizes as outlined in the Design Challenge 2016 blog post.

But anyone reading this, I encourage you to visit the Pinterest board with the submissions and give each of those entries a thorough round of applause, because the work of these incredible and varied artists was amazing and fearless. There were 72 magnificent pieces to enjoy and I can't thank you enough, all who entered, for giving me the opportunity to view them.

Now for the categories and finalists....

Wire Weaving

Andreea Dragomirescu

Beth Meyers

Sithara

Cabochons & Un-drilled Gemstones

Scott Clements

Erica Teeter

Evi Widjaja

Mixed Media

Daryl Adams

Heidi Mandato

Rebecca Spencer

Tough job, right?

Now I leave it to you, contestants, to vote for your favorites in each category. I know it's not fair, but you can only choose one winner for each category, and list them in the comments below. My heart goes out to you, fellow artists.... it's a difficult choice to make.

This post will be open to comments through the end of this month and reminders will be posted often so each contestant will have an opportunity to cast their votes.

I am so happy to have been a part of this even though i didnt win. It only makes me want to work harder at my craft so that maybe, just maybe my work will compare to these beautiful pieces in the future. I did not envy your job of choosing Nicole, but i think you made some good choices.

Scott Clements- Your design enhances and showcases the cabochon in such a beautiful way. Its a joy to look at.

Rebecca Spencer- I believe your work shows the most mixed media in a very daring and creative way. Truly a work of art.

These are my picks though i have to give a special shout out to Erica Teeter- i have not been able to tear my eyes from your beautiful piece since Nicole uploaded it. I have never seen such incredible wire weaving, I think entering the wire weaving category might have been a better option as the weave seems like the main focus, but thats just my opinion. I have never been more envious than i am of that piece.

Great work, everyone!

Reply

Victoria Farrell

6/17/2016 07:18:04 pm

Beth Meyers, Scott Clements, Daryl Adams and congrats to all the other finalists. Very tough to make the choices.

Reply

Daryl Adams

6/17/2016 09:52:32 pm

I'm really awestruck by all the talent and beautiful jewelry that was presented for this contest. I'm also really flattered that Nicole Hanna picked my entry for the finals. Every entry by all the contestants were beautiful and unique to say the least and I know it was tough to choose. It's so nice to see everyone showcasing their outstanding works of art in one place. Thank you everyone for coming together and sharing your hard work.

Wire Weaving - Beth Meyers

Cabochons & Un-drilled Gemstones - Erica Teeter

Mixed Media - Rebecca Spencer

Reply

heidi mandato

6/17/2016 10:59:12 pm

All great work!!!! Honored to be a finalist! Thank you so much for always celebrating other artist Nicole Hanna, you're one of a kind!

Oh my goodness! To say I am chuffed to bits to be chosen as a finalist from all the truly glorious pieces that were entered is an understatement! This has really made my year and cheered me up enormously. Thank you so much :) Good luck to all the finalists. Thank you Nicole for giving us this challenge, the opportunity to think outside the box and the chance to show our creations. My votes in what is a tremendously tough choice to make is:
Wire Weaving - Beth Meyers
Cabochons & Un-drilled Gemstones - Scott Clements
Mixed Media - Heidi Mandato

My goodness! I looked at all the pinterest pics. I do not envy you at all. And as I'm not familiar with all the wire weaving particulars I can't really comment so much on technical talents but aesthetic pleasures abound in these creations. LOVE IT!

Reply

Maude

6/18/2016 05:19:01 am

They're all wonderfull artists! Tho I vote for those ones :

Beth Meyers
Erica Teeter
Daryl Adams

Good luck to all the contestants <3

Reply

Ben K

6/18/2016 05:57:20 am

Meyers, teeter, mandato

Reply

Beth Meyers

6/18/2016 06:11:30 am

Wow! What a blast this has been! From choosing the piece to enter.. photographing the piece (50 times ;0)... painstakingly submitting the piece, worrying it wasn't the right one... and absolutely loving watching the entries coming in and admiring everyone's skill. How inspiring! And humbling to be in the running, with all the fabulous pieces that were entered.
The voting is very difficult!
My votes are:
Erica Teeter - unique and original, well done!
Daryl Adams - absolutely lovely, a masterpiece!
Andreea D - loads of originality and creativity!

So many beautiful pieces! I am honoured to be a finalist, especially since I'm very new at wire weaving. Good luck to all, your designs are truely inspiring. Thank you Nicole, I feel so lucky to have been part of this contest!
My votes go to:
Wire weaving: Beth Meyers
Cabochons: Erica Teeter
Mixed Media: Rebecca Spencer

It was tricky to choose as they are all gorgeous. I have a question about mixed media, what media is Daryl using please? I can't work it out.

Reply

Rebecca Watson

6/19/2016 06:31:04 am

I was wondering that too, sure is stunning though!

Reply

Daryl Adams

6/19/2016 11:35:55 am

Thanks, I placed this piece in Mixed Media due to the fact that there was quite a bit of metal smithing involved such as parts of the main frame and points being soldered, filed down and hammered, the bezels being handmade and soldered along with the cabochons being hand set in the bezel cups. This piece took approximately 20 hours to complete because of all the metal smithing and wire weaving.

Erica Teeter

6/19/2016 12:04:04 pm

It's such an honor to be among the finalists with so many incredible entries. Thank you so much Nicole for putting on this amazing contest!
Wire weaving: Beth Meyers
Mixed Media: Daryl Adams
Cabochons and Un-drilled: Evi Widjaja